The One vs. Adam Allocco

[TheOne]

{NUMBERS: Chapter 3}

I knew, deep down, that once I introduced Agent O'Connell into the situation, much of the dynamic of Hailey, the Oracle's brother, and myself would have some changes to it.  I knew that they would see me as someone who potentially was selling them out, no matter how much assurance they had from the agent or myself.  I knew that they would question my every move going forward, and truly, I was OK with that.  For the sake of my mission, my goal, and my oath, having them doubt me, but knowing their safety was the worth the move.

What I didn't know was Hailey's move.  I didn't know she had reached out to her parents that night, and honestly, I still don't know the extent of what was said.  Her motives, her actions, all of it is something only she can answer, and while I'm oblivious to the situation as a whole, it is the least of my concerns.  I have to focus on the bigger picture, and what is in front of me.

But I also know there are a lot of questions about HOW we got to this point.  How everything came together.  And how the FBI's SVU agent came back into contact with me, and the story is simple.  When I raided his room and got his files, I did everything I could to not quite get him fired, but to make his life a living hell at the bureau, and I succeeded.  He was demoted and basically relegated to being a desk clerk for the time period between when I cause him all of that personal difficulty, and when The Oracle was stolen from Hailey's parent's home.  And I knew this was going to be my opportunity to potentially get myself a "get out of jail free" card.

SO when she was captured, I called and made him an offer... All of his original files, PLUS everything I had stored in my server for two things, Hailey's safety and The Oracle's release to her brother once she was evaluated medically.  His doubt in me was obvious, and after some convincing, we both flew to an airport outside of either of our "known jurisdictions" and I handed off the USB drive with all of the information I collected and immediately left for home again.  He obviously wasted no time and looked at the information in his car, and realized I had kept up my end of the bargain, and at the same time, I felt a since of pride in myself because I realized my loyalty was no longer to myself and my well-being, but truly to the safety of others.  I had felt myself turn a corner from this "power" and "supremacy" mindset, to one that was out for good.

I also knew that it was at this moment my fate could be sealed.  Like I said... I asked nothing for myself in exchange.  I asked everything for others.  And it wasn't strategic, but it was hopeful that leniency would be given, and potentially I would be shown some form of appreciation for doing what I did.  But I was OK with not receiving anything because, in the end, I would have held up my end of the bargain.  I would have done what I promised I would always do all along... Protect The Oracle and bring down The Prophets after discovering what they were truly doing.

Outside of a rural convenience store, the trio of The One, Hailey, and The Brother are filling up on gas.  Hailey elecxts to go inside, relieve herself, and also get some snacks.  Nobody seems bothered because of their isolated location and she takes off and heads inside.  Once she gets inside The Brother steps out of the vehicle and walks slowly around to where The One is pumping gas, and wastes no time in, for the first time ever, truly engaging with The One, one on one.

The Brother: Hey... Umm... I was wondering if I could be candid with you, for once?

The One: Yeah... Of course...

The Brother: How trustworthy do you feel she (Hailey) is?  I mean, do you honestly believe we can trust her because my sister was abducted from her house while she had you far away...

The One nods.

The One: Believe me, I've grappled with that question when everything went down, myself.  The fact is, I do trust her.  She was me, and wanted to be me before I was.  She taught me everything I knew, and really pushed me to understand how to be shrewd and take that previous bastard out.  So I believe in her as a friend because she is the only one who has ever shown that kind of friendship to me.

The Brother: But is that just blind trust on your part?  Couldn't she be using your past to make us both part of a much bigger plan of hers to get back to where she wanted to be?  You said it yourself, she wanted to be you, so could there be that jealousy factor in play?

The One: I won't lie and say it's not a fair question because it is.  I just don't believe it is the case here.  But let me ask you, candidly, why are you so concerned?

The Brother: I don't know... Something about what I think I heard the other night in the woods, when she kind of went off by herself.  I knew she was making a phone call and it sounded like she was immediately calling her parents after everything we had just discussed...

The One immediately pulls her head back and squints, in a state of shock.

The Brother: ... I know, my thoughts exactly.  And I believe you.  I believe what you're doing is for the right reasons.  I believe in the FBI because they aren't under my parents thumb, and you wouldn't have brought in legitimate law enforcement that had no influence from them, if you weren't taking this seriously... And to me, that says a lot.  And if I'm being blunt... It made every shred of doubt I had in you disappear completely.

The One: Well let me first say I'm glad.  I'm glad we finally can say we see eye to eye.  I don't blame you for doubting me, or not willing to believe I had you and your sister's best interest.  So I appreciate that...

The Brother nods.

The One: ... Having said that, I want to say something that, on the surface, will contradict it all.

The Brother now is confused.

The One: ... Don't trust anyone until your sister is safely back with you again.  Don't trust me, the FBI, anyone, until you see results because I don't know what your parents told you to make you agree to stay captive for so long, but the fact is, you have every right and privilege to doubt the world until you see results.  And I'm not going to try and take that right away.

The Brother: And that's the attitude that has given me faith in you because, even as much as I doubted you, you have never wavered in how you've acted.  You've been the same person.  And seriously, would someone tell me not to believe anything they say unless they were legitimately going to do something to fix and prove they're not full of it.  Up until you, everyone has just told me, "Oh trust me, we are doing what is best for you," and next thing I know I am a prisoner by my own parents.

Seriously... Those two would say things to me like, "you know we keep you here for your safety," and "your job is to keep your sister safe and this place safe so we can't have you leaving."  They knew I saw through the lies, but they also had those two guards, who would monitor my sister, keep an eye on me and one day I wanted fresh air and just walked outside, next thing I know I'm pushed up against a wall and being interrogated and beaten for leaving.  So I figured you were on their side all along.  I figured you just wanted me miserable and to be a prisoner, and to use me to get to my sister.  Now I see things were never like that and I owe you a major apology...

The One: Stop right there.  You owe me nothing, and most importantly I haven't EARNED an apology or that respect yet.  Your sister is in danger, and for that there is still blood on my hands.  Nobody elses... You did everything you could.  I didn't.  I get feeling like things have changed and you wanting to praise and respect me, but until I finish this, I don't deserve anything.  Once this is all over, then you can say what you want, express your feelings, and do whatever because your sister will be safe.  But until then, I'm as guilty as everyone in this mess.  I'm still the same person who led her to those "seances" where she was abused and drugged.  I'm still the same piece of shit who watched her parents, of all people, do these things to her and not do anything at the time to stop it.

Face it, I haven't made up for anything, especially now that she is back in their hands.  To be honest, I wouldn't blame you if you hated me right now, and you wanted me brought to the same justice as your parents.  I still have a ways to go and a lot to atone for before I accept or get ANY credit or praise, whatsoever...

The Brother goes to respond, but The One makes a subtle shushing noise to signal for him to be quiet or change the subject.  He immediately knows this is a signal that Hailey is returning from inside the store.

Hailey: ... One of the cleanest bathrooms on the side of the road I've ever been in... Also got everyone a couple things...

The One nods, and The Brother looks at The One wondering what she's going to do.  The One wastes no time in seeing what kind of answers she can get.

The One: Appreciate it... So what was with the call to your parents the other night in the woods?

Hailey immediately freezes, and the look on her face changes from happy-go-lucky, to almost ghostly white, having not realized that she was overheard.  She begins to think of how the best way to respond is.

Hailey: Umm.. Honestly... I just was calling to make sure they knew that shit was getting real, and it was their fault, ultimately.  I wanted them to know they were as much in the crosshairs of all of this as anyone...

The initial "umm" makes The One wary of what Hailey is saying.

The One: You sure that's all you said?

Hailey: Why?  Are you suggesting that I'm not being honest?

Rather than see the scene escalate, The Brother quickly interjects.

The Brother: Hey... Hey... Before anything gets out of line, I'm the one who heard you on the phone and asked The One if she did, too.  I didn't know what was said or hear anything but the initial sound of your mom's voice.  We have to all be open with one another here, and I wanted to do my part.  So if you want to be suspect of someone questioning things, it's me to be the person to direct it to.  I'll be the scapegoat for this because I just want my sister back safe.

Hailey's gaze looks his way, and becomes less intense, but still wary.  Her tone, too, is much less aggressive and defensive.

Hailey: ... Like I said, I wanted to make sure they knew I wasn't going to protect them, and they should be ready to be on the authority's radar once this all comes to a head because they were complicit in The Oracle being snatched again.

The One chimes back in, effectively ending the situation.

The One: Then that's what happened, and the air is cleared up.  We confronted the problem, got our answer, everyone said their peace, and we made sure any potential rumors or conspiracy theories floating among us were eliminated.  Am I right?

The Brother nods.

Hailey: Definitely... Sorry for getting defensive...

The One: We all would have... No worries...

Hailey approaches The Brother, and in a strange showing of emotion, give him a side hug as a sign of apology and mending.

Hailey: I'm sorry for making you worry unnecessarily...

The Brother is quick to reciprocate the side hug.

The Brother: Don't worry about it, I understand...

Hailey and The Brother make their way to the passenger side of the car where both begin to get in.  Hailey looks up at The One as she finishes pumping, and The One feels like she sees a look hinting at a sense of shallowness in Hailey's words.  The One just stares back and watches as Hailey enters the vehicle and she puts the pump back on the stand before getting in the vehicle herself, and driving them along to their next destination for the next planned phase of the mission.

Her look, to me, wasn't genuine.  Her fear of getting caught was.  But my questions were bigger than just "what" was said, but why?  Her parents had been the root cause of everything happening the way it did, and now she's in full communication with them?  What did she reveal?  What could she have said to them to reveal their plan, possibly jeopardizing everything?  All of these questions ran through my mind.  And I knew my impatience wants me to seek answers, but my logic tells me that if she is admitting she made the call, there is a chanc to sloly extract more information over time and paint a clearer picture of where things stand.

But the reality is simple... If she's feeding information, I will find out.  If she's being legit, I will find out.  The plans are in place with contingencies I have made for any and all possible outcomes and I will do whatever I can to ensure they are executed properly, and The Oracle is brought home safe.